Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle El Khoury, Phd

Hi Michelle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

My journey has been one of mindful transformation. After spending over two decades in the healthcare industry, I yearned for a different way to impact people’s lives. While I loved the scientific rigor of my corporate career, I discovered a deeper calling through yoga and mindfulness, which I first found during my second pregnancy.

The turning point came through my own experiences of pregnancy, birth, and parenthood, further deepened by witnessing my children’s challenges with anxiety and stress. As I navigated the demands of balancing a corporate career with family life, I realized the profound impact that mindful practices had on my ability to manage transitions. This personal experience and my background in epidemiology and public health led me to envision a different approach to supporting others through life’s pivotal moments.

In 2020, I took a leap of faith and founded YOGAMAZIA, built on core values we call G.R.A.C.E. – Gratitude, Respect, Authenticity, Community, and Equity. We help families, professionals, and organizations navigate significant life transitions through mindful, evidence-based practices. Our programs span from in-studio to virtual and from educational institutions to corporate wellness, using a proprietary methodology I developed to help others find clarity during times of change.

This transformation from corporate executive to mindful entrepreneur is also featured in the anthology ‘We Rise in Power: Amplifying Women of Color and Our Voices for Change,’ where I share how letting go of one path led to discovering my true calling. Being recognized as a 2024 Woman of Influence by Bucks County Parent Magazine and receiving the 2023 Business Partner of the Year award from Pennsbury School District has affirmed that this journey, while unexpected, was exactly where I needed to be.

What brings me the most joy is seeing how these mindful practices help others find their own path through transition, whether they’re expecting parents, children, professionals, or organizations navigating change.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Like many entrepreneurial journeys, particularly for women of color and in the wellness sector, the path has had its share of challenges.

I faced immediate obstacles in securing traditional funding. Despite my corporate background, proven track record, and excellent credit score, I was declined for small business loans and therefore bootstrapped YOGAMAZIA from the ground up, carefully reinvesting every dollar earned back into growth.

The healthcare landscape presents its own hurdles. While the benefits of mindfulness and yoga are well-documented through research, these preventive wellness services aren’t typically covered by insurance, creating an accessibility barrier for many families. We also face the ongoing challenge of helping parents understand the value of wellness education for their children’s long-term development, particularly when weighing it against more traditional extracurricular activities like sports or dance.

Operating in the highly competitive health and wellness field with limited marketing resources means we’ve had to be creative in spreading our message. Building awareness and reaching qualified leads with a lean team requires constant innovation and persistence. However, these challenges have actually strengthened our commitment to our mission and helped us develop more inclusive and accessible programs.

What’s kept me going is seeing the transformative impact of our work and the vibrant community we’ve grown within our studio and surrounding areas. The children and families we serve remind me daily of why I started this journey. Each obstacle has ultimately led to a more resilient business model and a deeper understanding of how to serve our community effectively.

As you know, we’re big fans of YOGAMAZIA. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?

YOGAMAZIA is a maternal and children’s wellness education hub specializing in supporting families through life’s key transitions using evidence-based practices. Our name integrates the word “yoga” to represent the ancient tradition of uniting mind, body, and spirit that forms the basis of our philosophy.

What sets us apart is our comprehensive approach to family wellness through three core pathways:
1. Our Parent Beginnings program provides holistic perinatal support through prenatal and postnatal yoga, childbirth education, birth and postpartum doula services, infant massage, and lactation counseling. This program is complemented by Smart Parenting with Michelle, our virtual platform that makes expert support accessible to busy families navigating pregnancy and early parenthood.

2. Through our Wholesome Warriors kids’ yoga program, we help children develop physical strength, mindfulness, and emotional resilience, fostering healthy habits and coping skills from an early age to their teen years. Our unique approach combines movement with mindfulness, helping young people build confidence and self-awareness.

3. Our Community Connectors initiative extends our impact through partnerships with local schools, hospitals, and organizations, bringing wellness education and support to diverse communities.

I’m most proud of how we’ve built our brand on the foundation of G.R.A.C.E. – Gratitude, Respect, Authenticity, Community, and Equity. These values guide every program we develop and every family we serve. Whether in our studio, through virtual coaching, or via community partnerships, we focus on creating inclusive, accessible programs that meet families where they are in their wellness journey.

Yogamazia has evolved into more than just a yoga studio – it’s become a sanctuary where families find support, children develop resilience, and parents discover resources for every stage of their journey. Through both in-person and virtual offerings, we provide practical tools that can be integrated into daily family life, helping create stronger, more mindful communities.

How do you define success?

Success, for me, isn’t measured by revenue targets or class attendance numbers. Instead, it’s about creating meaningful alignments – finding and serving the right families, children, and organizations who truly resonate with our mission and values.

When an expecting parent feels empowered in their birth choices, or a parent shares how their child is using the techniques they learned to manage their life situation, or when a school reports positive changes in their students’ behavior – these are our true measures of success. It’s about depth of impact rather than breadth of reach.

Our approach has always been about forging genuine connections rather than pursuing rapid growth. We believe in being a sanctuary where every interaction matters, where families feel truly seen and supported, and where partnerships align with our core values. Success means staying true to this vision even when it means taking a slower, more intentional path.

What makes my heart full is knowing we’re serving our community in exactly the way we’re meant to – creating transformative experiences for those who are ready to embrace them. This might mean smaller class sizes or more selective partnerships, but it ensures that every person who walks through our door receives the attention and support they deserve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yogamazia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogamazia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogamazia/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yogamazia
• Other: https://www.smartparentingwithmichelle.com/

Image Credits

Redd Pen Media & Louis Martinez
Dantone Creative
Ivory Tree Portraits